Mat.



R. L. FULLER.

MAT.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25. I916.

m u L R Paten 44 Feb. 19, 1918.

r l I I l1 ROBERT L. FULLER, OF RENO, NEVADA.

MAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19,1918.

Application filed November 25, 1916. Serial No. 133,510.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. FULLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reno, in the county of Washoe and State of Nevada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mats, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in mats and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed for use in doing repair work around or under an automobile; and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby a mat may be quickly and effectively applied to a person and which serves to effectively protect a person against grease or the like and when lying upon the ground.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mat whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a view in top plan of a mat constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken longitudinally of the mat through the extension thereof; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of my improved device.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved mat comprises two imposed layers 1 of material impervious to moisture and oil and which are secured one to the other at their marginal portions by the stitchings 2 or the like. One end of my improved mat at substantially its transverse with an extension 3 returned upon itself to afford a pocket at adapted to receive an inflatable member 4 or other cushioning element whereby a head rest is afforded when a person is working beneath an automobile or the lik As herein embodied, the side marginal center is provided portions of the extension 3 and its returned part are secured one to the other by the stitching 2 or the like while the inner end of thereturned part has its opposite side portions secured to the inner end portion of the extension 3 by the transversely disposed and alined rows of stitching 5 or the like. The inner ends of the rows 5 of stitching are separated to afford an entrance opening whereby the inflatable member 4 or other cushioning element may be readily inserted within the pocket a. It is also to be noted that a side portion of the returned part of the extension is separated to afford an opening 6 through which an inflating nipple 6 may be disposed.

I also'find it of advantage to connect the intermediate port-ion'of the layers 1 with the longitudinally directed rows of stitching 7 or the like preferably disposed in parallelism and'extending from one end of the mat I to the extension 3. In communication with the space between the layers 1 and preferably adjacent the extension 3 is an infiating valve or nipple 0 and it will be perceived that the air forced between the layers 1 through the valve or nipple 0 will readily pass withi n the compartments d formed by the longitudinally disposed rows of stitchings 7. Y

One of the layers 1 adjacent the opposite margins thereof and substantially -midway the length of the mat is provided with the pockets 8 in which suitable tools may be inserted.

One of the layers 1, preferably the layer provided with the pockets 8, is provided with the outwardly converging straps 9 having their connected end portions secured to the mat in close proximity to the extension .3 and preferably at the transverse center of the mat, while the outer ends of said straps are secured to the mat adjacent the longitudinal margins thereof and in close proximityto the pockets 8.

In use the person employing the mat is intended to slip his-arms through the loops afforded by the straps 9 whereby the mat-is effectively supported in position to overlie the back of the user so that when the person assumes a reclining position, as is generally required to work beneath an automobile or the like, he will be efi'ectively protected against dampness. It will also-be perceived that the device can be readily employed as an apron if required and it has oeen fully demonstrated in practice that upon inflatin the mat the same can bepart intermediate the transversely alined rows of stitching- 5 with the separable fastening elements 10, whereby the inflatable member -.L or other cushioning element may be held within the pocket (1 against displacement. 4

From the foregoing description, it is thought, to be obvious that a mat constructed iii-accordance withmy invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andffacility with which it may be assembled, and. it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as llmltmg myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown 1n carrying out my invention in practice, except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, an elongated mat, a strap secured at its end portions to the longitudinal margins of the mat at a point inwardly of an end thereof, the central portion of the strap being secured to the mat at a point in advance of the secured end portions of the strap to afford a pair of diverging loops through which the arms of a person are adapted to be inserted. 'In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my slgnature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. FULLER. 

